Gore ‘good to go'; Rachal’s status TBD

Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said he thought Frank Gore would be “good to go” for this week’s game at Philadelphia after the running back was limited by an ankle injury in a 13-8 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

But Harbaugh was far less definitive concerning the status of struggling right guard Chilo Rachal. Asked if Rachal would start against the Eagles, Harbaugh said, “That’s to be determined. There’s a competition there.”

RG Chilo Rachal was replaced by Adam Snyder for most of the second half on Sunday. -- AP

The competition is between Rachal and Adam Snyder, who replaced Rachal for all but a handful of plays in the second half in Cincinnati. Snyder was inserted after Rachal committed two holding penalties (one was declined), a false-start penalty and allowed at least one sack in the first two quarters. Snyder had only spelled Rachal during the first two regular-season games.

Harbaugh, who praised Rachal during training camp, was asked about the right guard’s lack of consistency during his conference call from Youngstown, Ohio.

“For me it’s more of a team, it’s more of unit thing,” he said. “I know you like to pick out guys and point things out. I choose to look at how we can improve as a unit. And consistency is something for our entire offense. And we’re working hard to get more consistent.”

When asked about the collective struggles of a unit that’s allowed 11 sacks in the past two games, Harbaugh said he would keep his critiques of the offensive line in-house.

“They hear from us coaches,” he said. “I don’t feel inclined to have them read about it as well.”

Harbaugh was less-buttoned up regarding the status of Gore, whose injury, he said, did not require him to wear an orthopedic boot. After the game, Gore said his right ankle got twisted in the second quarter when he was tackled by Benagls linebacker Rey Maualuga.

“In my mind, right now, Frank is good to go,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh said rookie Kendall Hunter “graded out very well” in relief of Gore, but said he felt no reason to make any “bold statement” regarding how much Hunter would be used in the future.

Hunter, who had nine carries for 26 yards Sunday, had two carries in the season’s first two games.